The stage is set and anticipation is at fever pitch as Wigan Warriors and Hull KR prepare to clash in the 2025 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 11. With kick-off scheduled for 18:00 BST and a crowd of 70,000 expected to fill the iconic 'Theatre of Dreams', this showdown promises to be a rugby league spectacle for the ages. Both teams have compelling narratives, star players ready to seize the moment, and history on the line—making this one of the most eagerly awaited finals in recent memory.
Liam Farrell, the seasoned Wigan second-row, is gearing up for his tenth Grand Final appearance—a testament to both his longevity and the Warriors' sustained excellence. "You just hear all the noise, the singer going off, look up high into the stands and see them full, 70,000 people, and it's an amazing feeling," Farrell shared with BBC Radio 5 Live. For Farrell, each trip to Old Trafford is as thrilling as the first, even if the hair is a little thinner and the joints a bit creakier. "There's not many years left, so it could be the last one. I treated the others the same way. It could be form, be injury, anything. Hopefully it isn't but I'll cherish it as if it is and the only one I've played and give 110% like I did in my first game."
Wigan enter this Grand Final with the chance to claim a third consecutive Super League title—a feat that would cement their dominance in the modern era. Their experience in big matches is unmatched, having completed a remarkable quadruple in 2024 by winning the World Club Challenge, Super League, League Leaders' Shield, and Challenge Cup. Head coach Matt Peet, since taking the reins in 2022, has guided the Warriors to silverware in every campaign. "All the games during the season are like lessons along the way and this is the final test," Peet told BBC Sport. "It's something you look forward to, and I've always enjoyed exams."
Yet, if history is on Wigan's side, momentum and hunger are with Hull KR. The Robins have already snatched two of Wigan's 2024 prizes this year and now stand on the brink of a historic treble. Led by the charismatic and composed Mikey Lewis, Hull KR have captured both the League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup in 2025. Lewis, at just 24, has matured into the team's talisman under head coach Willie Peters. "I feel like I'm more composed. More in the blue head instead of being in the red head all the time. It's something Willie's taught me over the three or four years he's been here," Lewis explained to The Sun. "Becoming a dad has helped too, 100 per cent. I feel like I've really learnt and grown up as a person over the last 10 months or so."
Lewis’ transformation from an erratic talent to a composed leader has been crucial for Hull KR’s rise. His big-game temperament was on full display as he kicked the goal that clinched the Challenge Cup and dazzled in the League Leaders' Shield decider. Off the field, Lewis is a self-described "chilled person" who enjoys golf, coffee, and time with his young son, Romey. He credits his professional approach to diet and recovery for keeping him at the top of his game, while also acknowledging the importance of staying humble and grounded amid increased attention from fans and the media.
The coaching battle adds another compelling layer to the final. Matt Peet’s empathetic, player-focused approach has fostered a culture of teamwork, effort, and resilience at Wigan. "He's very empathetic, he understands people on an individual level, understands people have certain needs and that people want to be cared for in different ways and does that very well," Farrell said of Peet. Meanwhile, Willie Peters has instilled belief and unity at Hull KR, shaping a squad that fights for every inch and thrives under pressure. According to Sky Sports pundit Barrie McDermott, "Willie Peters has built something really special in east Hull. He's created a culture where everyone knows their job, plays for the badge and absolutely loves the fight."
As for the pundits, predictions are split but lean slightly in Wigan’s favor. Jon Wilkin, Jenna Brooks, Sam Tomkins, and Jon Wells all tip Wigan Warriors to edge out Hull KR, with predicted margins ranging from two to thirteen points. Wilkin expects a low-scoring, defensive battle, forecasting a 10-6 Wigan win: "This won't be a high-scoring spectacle. Two heavyweight teams grinding each other down, trading blows in the trenches." Jenna Brooks believes it will be close, with Wigan’s experience making the difference. Sam Tomkins and Jon Wells both see Wigan winning by comfortable margins, while McDermott and Stuart Pyke predict Hull KR will complete their treble, with Pyke envisioning a 17-10 Robins victory.
The battle for the Rob Burrow Award (player of the match) is just as fiercely debated. Wigan’s Jai Field and Bevan French are popular picks among pundits for their game-changing abilities, while Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis is tipped by others to cap his stellar season with individual honors. McDermott describes Lewis as having "that cheeky confidence and a touch of brilliance that lifts both the crowd and his team-mates."
Both squads are loaded with talent and experience. Wigan’s younger stars, like Brad O'Neill and Junior Nsemba, have already tasted top-level success, and veterans like Farrell are eager to pass on their wisdom. On the other side, Hull KR’s blend of youthful exuberance and hardened resolve has created a team that refuses to back down, regardless of the stage.
As the clock ticks down to kick-off, fans on both sides are bracing themselves for a nerve-shredding contest. With so much at stake—Wigan’s quest for a three-peat, Hull KR’s shot at a first-ever treble, and personal legacies hanging in the balance—this Grand Final feels destined to be decided by a moment of magic or a flash of brilliance from one of its stars.
Whatever the outcome, Saturday night at Old Trafford will add another unforgettable chapter to Super League history. For players and supporters alike, the hope is to savor every moment—because nights like this, under the lights at the Theatre of Dreams, don’t come around often.
